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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE G. SMALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND CEAS. H. DRUMMOND, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,664, dated October 24, 1865.

.To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE'G. SMALL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tables; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled inthe art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. l

The present invention consist in certain new and useful improvements in the construction of tables, whereby its top can be readily made smaller or larger without detaching any portion ot' the same therefrom, the foldingleaves being so arranged with regard to the table-top, and in its central position, that when desired to decrease the size of the table-top they will fold up and together, below the surface of the table, in a very compact manner, as will be readily apparent from the following detail description, reference being had to the aecompanying plate of drawings, of which- Figure l is a partial side view and section, showing the table-top extended; and Fig. 2, a a side view of the table when closed, but with portions broken away of its center support, so as to show its internal arrangement and construction. v

a a in the drawings represent the top of the table, made in four sections or parts, b, c, d, and f, laid edge to edge, the two middle ones, c and d, being hinged together at their contiguous edges and to the outer pieces, b and f, respectively, which are rigidly secured in a horizontal position in any proper manner (so that when all the sections of the table-top are spread out they will form one contiguous plane) to similar-shaped posts or standards gg, which, when brought together and closed upon each other, as will be presently described, form one general or center support for the table, the exterior of which can be made of any desired ornamental size or shape, and is provided with a base, h, and legs l l ll.

rlhe central sections or parts, c and d, are hinged to the outer ones, so that they can be swung or closed downward, as seen in Fig. 2, and upon the under side of one, secured by screws or in any other proper manner, is a projecting cleat, m, which, when the leaves are in a horizontal positiomas seen in Fig.1, extends across their -joint and serves as a support to the same, it being held in place by a button, n, upon one section of the post g.

The sections ofthe postare cut away at their top portion so as to admitot' the leaves or ceutral portions of the table heilig turned downward, through and across which post they extend for the entire width of the table, and at the lower portion of each section of the center post are hinged or jointed connecting-pieces o o, which, when the post is closed, swing up and are incased by it, as seen in Fig. 2, and also ixed arms p p, which, with the pieces 0 o, serve to impart steadiness to the table support or post, the post, when closed, being held together by hooks q q, and also constructed in such a mannelas to form perfectjoints and a proper appearance.

Buttons may-b e also used upon the under side ot' the fixed portions of the table-top, so as to act as a support to thejoints of the central sections ot' the table with it; and the table-top may be round, square, or any other suitable shape, as well as any form may be given to the supporting-post; or legs may be used; and there areother various and manifest changes which can be made in the detail construction and arrangement of the table, and Itherefore do not intend to limit myself` to the particular one herein described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- So constructing and arranging a table-top for tables that it can be increased or decreased in size by folding its central portion below the same, substantially as herein described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 28th day of August, 1865.

GEORGE G. SMALL.

Witnesses:

ALBERT W. BROWN, M. M. LIVINGSTON. 

